Ahmedabad: Amid urban advancements, Trent's Dalits struggle to get a decent haircut

You think of a story and it would already have happened in India. Yet, who would have thought that the service's of four barbers from Trent village in Ahmedabad's Mandal taluka would become a matter of conflict.

It has been alleged that the village, since ages, has refused to entertain Dalits at a barber shop because of which they have had no option but to go out to small towns in Viramgam to get a haircut.

However, times have changed and with it, generations have changed too. A group of young Dalits has decided that they will not let this crawling discrimination take over the society.

"The matter gained prominence after some Dalits who had settled outside the village came to a barber shop to get their hair cut. The barbers and the other patrons made them leave stating they won't provide the service to Dalits," said Ashok Rathod, 26, one of the youths who is demanding an end to the tradition.

"We have made representation to the Mamlatdar, the Nyay Samiti and even the police station," said Rathod. He said they also had a talk with the Sarpanch who has refused to let the tradition end.

"It is not that we can't get the services outside the village. But it is a matter of self-respect. In today's India where the constitution of the country has granted everyone equal rights, we cannot be discriminated like this," said Rathod. The village has a majority population of Patels.

One of the barbers who operate in the village that is home to 5000 people said that he has no choice in the matter. "The shops have been given to us by the village. The land which our shops are set up belongs to a trust and we pay them a rent, if they ask us not to cut the hair of someone we have to follow what they say or they can evict us," said Dinesh Amrutlal.

He said he personally has no problem cutting anyone's hair. "It is just work for me. But if I am evicted where will I go," he said. He said that as the agitation gained momentum and there were arguments in the panchayat over the issue, the barbers have been asked to close the shops. "The shops are now closed. They have asked us to go to everyone's house and do the work," said Amrutlal.

Rasik Patel, the sarpanch for the second consecutive term said that the youth are creating an unnecessary controversy. "The vaanands (barbers) were brought here by our community a long time ago. We pay them in grains for services rendered. A trust of the village provides them the shop that they operate in. The Dalits have their own vaanands. Why do they want to get their haircut from our vaanand?" said Patel.

Panchayat head denied service

Sources said Ishwar Solanki, the former Zilla Panchayat president also gets his hair cut from a barber outside the village. Solanki refused to take any questions from us. “I don’t want to talk about the issue,” said Solanki.

Have called a meeting: Police

PSI AN Ninamma said they had received a representation about the issue. “I visited the village and heard both sides. But many say they  have brought the barber at their own expense so he is free to refuse service.

OTHER CASES

June  A 13-year-old from Vithalapur village in Ahmedabad was beaten up by a group of men from Darbar community for wearing a Mojari (a type of footwear) and gold chain and calling himself a Darbar. They even filmed the violence on phone.

June  Four men were booked in Umrecha village of Satlasna taluka of Mehsana district for beating up one Jigar Bhagwandas. The youth, a barber, was  beaten up for giving a haircut to Dalits despite being warned not to do so. 

May  Mukesh Vaniya, a Dalit ragpicker was bound and mercilessly beaten up by a factory owner who suspected him of stealing scraps. The man died late. His wife too was beaten up. She suffered severe injuries.